Neoseeker's Holiday Guide 2009 - PAGE 11

"It's long, easily warrants multiple playthroughs with the different factions and routes you can take, and encourages you to take your time and explore everything. Interestingly, even after three-hour or longer sessions, it was still thrilling to jump back in after breaks.

We can state with great confidence you must own Risen if you love RPGs, and perhaps even if you just appreciate highly believable worlds. PC gamers who've been lamenting the lack of well-done classic titles like this with proper treatment should be overjoyed at the revival of sorts with this one. It's both accessible and "hardcore", and would make an excellent choice for a newcomer to the genre (though it's really recommended to start with Gothic), as well as the hardened veteran."

"Half-Minute Hero is impressive; the story is simple each time around and it often pokes fun at itself. The monsters are clever and comical, not only in the presentation but in their own monologue when they express their motive for world destruction. There’s a lot to love for such a simple approach that provides an enjoyable on the fly gaming experience with half-minute investments. Portability has become less of a problem in gaming but portable gaming is still trying to mature so everyone can enjoy it without feeling tied up for an hour.

For those interested in the game I would say Half-Minute Hero is a worthwhile casual title. The challenge of meeting the reward titles, getting all the bonuses and completing each mission in under 30 seconds isn’t easy. And for those that find it simple, picking hard difficulty often helps cure that; Half-Minute Hero can be a rollercoaster ride on the nerves, trying to squeeze every second for all it’s worth as the difficulty ramps up. In Hero 300 and Hero 3 the game puts up a last line of defense for those with the talent to give it their all without finishing with the title of “Sucky Hero”."

"Aion presents a unique experience this time around for the NCSoft catalog, bringing a whole world together as a single group. Players are able to experience quests together without having to form parties to rush from landmark to landmark; leveling becomes less of a chore as the Kabarah Strip Mine showed all classes can lend a hand so everyone wins. The game alsoboasts a fluid PVP experience by integrating it into the balance of the world; as players feel they’ve reached their peak, they come across their sworn enemies in the Abyss for an eternal battle for control. Aion feels like it comes in with a solid foundation and much potential for those that invest the time, plus the graphics are impressive and vibrant and the execution is superb. For those looking to invest in a new MMO,this onehas the potential to deliver."

Review Quote:
This game is by far the best I have played on the PS3, and well worth every single penny I will be dropping on the store counter. With a haunting sound track and absolutely stunning views, it does very little to disappoint. In a market hungry for a game with a worthy difficulty, I feel this one will be turning up on top ten "must play" lists in no time."

"Atlus has also challenged me personally. Not only with the game play of Demon's Souls, but also with the presentation. The disc I received for this review is a trade demo copy; Atlus will be shutting down the servers and resetting them prior to the October 6th launch. Trophies were disabled for the disc I received and the save data isn't compatible with the retail copy; every bit of the time and frustration I put into this game will be lost forever. Nevertheless, on October 6th it will be time for me to put my money where my mouth is, and I will be doing just that.

"Most RPGs we see today are mixed-genre, and in this context, Dragon Age: Origins is a rare occurrence. BioWare has given purists little to complain about, though you don't need to be an RPG fanboy to enjoy what they are offering -- just some patience. This isn't a game you want to rush. Aside from all the interesting side quests and character-related shenanigans you'll miss, it'll be considerably harder without all the proper skills and gear later on if you’ve progressed too quickly. There's no high level content versus low, as you can access every major region on the map following the prelude, but it pays to go in packing some proper heat. Either way, Dragon Age is worth the trouble, and a patient player will get more out of it than an Achievement-obsessed speed-gamer. That and the one taking it slow won't be dominated as frequently.

Even if someone chose to ignore all the optional content, the game should last for some time. The main quests require a ton of dedication and could very well last up to an hour each. Also remember that there are six uniquely different stories to explore, serving as true replay incentives. Add in the free Blood Dragon armor and "The Stone Prisoner" DLC, and we get one of the few games out there who genuinely deserves its full retail price.

While BioWare’s high fantasy production may not possess the same novelty as its 2007 sci-fi counterpart, it brings something classic and substantial back to the mainstream table, so far lined mostly with shooters, brainless action titles, and remakes. Truth be told, there’s nothing groundbreaking about Dragon Age: Origins, and yet we can’t help but love this game as a restoration of what popular gaming has mostly forgotten. Here is a distinctly BioWare take on familiar material, and anyone who follows their games will fall in love with this one. "

The music games section has been expanded to include The Beatles Rock Band, among other things.You'll also find games like Dragon Age on there as well.Just some extra content until we come out with the official Part 2.

The music games section has been expanded to include The Beatles Rock Band, among other things.You'll also find games like Dragon Age on there as well.Just some extra content until we come out with the official Part 2.